COMMUNITY SERVICES OF STARKE COUNTY
ANNUAL REPORT - 2013
Community Services of Starke County, Inc., is a not-for-profit corporation whose purpose is to provide services to low-income and senior citizens in Starke County. The major federal funding comes from Northwest Indiana Community Action Corporation, Inc., Crown Point, IN, for aging services; North Central Community Action Agencies, Inc. (NCCAA), Michigan City, IN, for various community services and energy assistance; Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission (KIRPC), Monon, IN, for public transportation; and Starke County Emergency Services Board (FEMA) for emergency shelter and utility assistance. Local agencies also contribute funds to match these funds.
SUMMARY OF SERVICES:
TRANSPORTATION
TRANSPORTATION: Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission funds the agency to provide public transportation in Starke County, as well as Pulaski, Newton and Jasper counties. Title III and Medicaid also provide funding for elderly, low-income and disabled persons. For every dollar spent on transportation, approximately $.50 must be raised through fares or local donations. With the federal cut of 24.3% in 2013 and cuts in the state funds, we used all the Section 5311 funds and State PMTF funds by September, 2013.
CSSC provided 13,357 trips, 154,797 passenger miles) to 757 unduplicated persons from 1/1/13-11/30/13. Of these trips, there were 791 Title III trips.
The Transportation Advisory Council, chaired by Ben Warren,oversees the transportation program, meeting quarterly to review changes in service, statistical data, costs, revenue, and make recommendations to the Board of Directors on proposed changes in policy. This year, the portable radios were narrowbanded, the FCC license renewed, Title VI policies adopted, defensive driver training held here on July 25th, CPR & First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens training held in January, drivers participated in the Roadeo,and staff attended the INDOT’s coordination meetings. The main concern for the Committee was the funding cut of 24.3% in 2013. Since the antenna was damaged in the storm of July, 2012, we have been without radio communication between the vehicles and the drivers except for cell phones. The County Commissioners have agreed to place CSSC’s antenna on the tower when it is erected at the new jail site on Route 8.
Transportation Coordination Meetings were held in Monon to identify unmet needs and to begin planning on how to meet those needs, possibly through coordination with the surrounding transit providers.
COMMUNITY SERVICES:
INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE: Provides access, linkage, and follow-up procedures for persons to all available benefits and services.
We have over one hundred agreements with social service agencies. The agreements state we are aware of the services they provide, and vice versa, and we may make appropriate referrals.
Northwest Indiana Community Action Corporation has implemented the “211” information and referral system for the northwest six counties. We have cooperated by keeping them informed about our services.
An updated Starke County Resource Manual was prepared by CSSC in September of 2013 and distributed to over one hundred (100) agencies, churches, physicians, township trustees and other organizations, most of them by email.
Other activities we utilize to assist in providing information and assistance include speaking engagements, participating in the quarterly Partnership Meetings which we host with the Community Foundation. The Starke County Health Fair was held on April 26th at the Knox Community Center, co-sponsored by CSSC and IU Health Starke Hospital.
OUTREACH: Interventions initiated by an agency for the purpose of identifying potentially hard to reach clients and encouraging their use of existing services and benefits. News releases to the local newspapers and WKVI Radio help reach individuals in need of our services. Distribution of brochures to public places and paid ads help reach clients.
HEALTH EQUIPMENT LOAN PROGRAM: A health equipment loan program is offered at no cost to the client. Persons served totaled 235; 58,986 units (days) of service provided.
FEMA: The Starke County Emergency Services Board awarded $11,421 to Community Services to administer Phase 30 program and $4,482 from the State Set-Aside funds; both programs assist low-income households with utility assistance and food. We helped 26 families with utility assistance in the amount of $4,404.26; $11,018.74 was spent for food for the pantry, $162 for diapers, and $318 to cover administrative costs.
Phase 31 funds have been applied for but not yet approved by the National Board.
FOOD PANTRY: The food pantry (through November 30th) helped 2,894 unduplicated persons (or 1,001different families) with food boxes. The average number of families per month is about 261 based on the fact that we distributed 2,872 allocations. We received donations of 83,517# and distributed 92,057#. The numbers have increased significantly since the economic and employment conditions have changed. The United States Department of Agriculture has provided food allocations to assist with the pantry. We are required to match pound for pound the amount of government food we distribute. Reports show that we not only matched the government commodities by 50% but we have exceeded that number. The Food Bank of Northern Indiana in South Bend is the area food bank where we can pay a stipend for food items. Donations of food and money from individuals, churches, Boy Scouts, Bass Lake Lions, Kankakee Valley REMC, Economy Auto, WKVI, Five Star,Kiwanis, business donors, banks, Starke County Community Foundation, and Starke United have made it possible for us to continue to meet the demands of the food pantry. Two hundred seventy (270) contributors donated food or money in 2013. Special fundraisers in 2013 included the Five Star/WKVI Radio radio-a-thon, SCILL Center car check program, Alco, Post Offices, Economy Auto,Boy/Girl Scout drives, and the Bluegrass Jam Fest.
Rhonda Overmyer is the program Coordinator who oversees the food pantry program, and is assisted with extremely valuable volunteers.
ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP): November 4, 2013was the beginning of the 2013-14 program applications for all households. Pre-applications were mailed to senior citizens, disabled households and households with children under the age of five who were eligible for the program last year. Six hundred twenty-five (625) pre-applications were mailed in September.
We continue to make appointments for the rest of the households that are eligible or for households in a crisis situation where they are disconnected, shutoff, or out of fuel.
The benefit allowance is based on the percentage of poverty level, at-risk household status, and type of dwelling. Households who have electric and heat included in the rent and live in subsidized apartments or homes will not be eligible for energy assistance program. Households that do not have the utility in their name, or a member of the household, landlord’s name or power of attorney’s name, will not receive assistance for that utility bill.
The EAP moratorium protects approved applicants from disconnection by regulated utilities between December 1 and March 15.
Energy education is a component of the energy assistance program. Clients that are eligible for the energy assistance program are given energy education and provided with an energy education kit as long as supplies last. We are reimbursed by North Central Community Action Agency at the rate of $25.00 per household.
COOLING PROGRAM: The summer cooling program providedfive (5) households with new air conditioners. All clients on the energy assistance program also received a $50 cooling benefit on their electric bill. After these funds were allocated at the State level, funds remained, so households received an additional $85 credit.
NIPSCO’S HARDSHIP PROGRAM: For the 2013 program, the Hardship program providedNIPSCO customers that were EAP eligible with a discount on the gas usage from time of notification of the benefit until May 31st. In addition, NIPSCO reduced the deposit on gas and electric for EAP households to $50 for electric and $50 for gas.
The Hardship program provided assistance to families that were between 150% and 200% of poverty level if they have a crisis situation, such as a disconnect notice or were disconnected. The limit was $200 per household, and the allocation from NIPSCO was $15,000; we administered the program and allocated $2,279.93 to thirteen (13)households.
WEATHERIZATION: Last year, the pre-applications for the weatherization program were taken by CSSC staff and were submitted to North Central Community Action Agencies, Inc. for assessment, application and follow-up. Income guidelines are the same as the energy assistance program. The Weatherization program’s goal is to lower energy consumption by the household. Due to reduction in funding, furnace replacements are no longer being done.
SECTION 8 HOUSING: Pre-applications for the rental assistance program have been on hold since March, 2003. There were over 200 households on the State’s waiting list from Starke County at that time. The voucher program is administered by Northwest Indiana Community Action Corporation.
TRIAD: Triad was a program of the National Sheriff’s Association that teams local law enforcement agencies, senior citizens and senior organizations to work toward reducing criminal victimization and unwarranted fear of crime affecting older adults.
Indiana’s Attorney General, Steve Carter, signed the Starke County charter on October 31, 2006. The group met quarterly at CSSC’s facility preceded by an educational program geared toward one of the goals of Triad. However, with little or no participation from the emergency personnel (Police and Fire Departments), the members decided to disband since Community Serviceswould continue to provide the File of Life, Beacon Flashers, and educational programs. A pill disposal container was installed at the Starke County Sheriff’s Office in May with the remaining funds.
Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): Joan Haugh is the SHIP’s trained and certified counselor for Starke County. Many senior citizens do not understand Medicare Parts A, B, C and D nor the supplemental plans. The SHIP counselors try and guide them through the maze and explain the services, charges, co-pays, deductibles, etc. to the clients. Individual sessions were provided this year.
Christmas Coordination: Names are collected and given to individuals or groups that are willing to provide food or toys to low-income families. The coordination avoids duplication to families and helps spread the wealth. With the help of Lori Dunning, volunteer, to date we have coordinated Christmas giving for over 500 children.
Salvation Army: Since August 2011, Community Services has served as the paywriter for Salvation Army. We would not commit to the bell ringing or fund raising nor would we be required to offer spiritual guidance to families. In 2013, we were able to help 55 households; total assistance was $4,052.73. The limit per household is $100 per year.
Emergency funding may be available to assist the elderly or disabled persons who are in need and have been referred by an agency. Policies state the maximum assistance shall be set at $100. The funds for this service come from the interest earned on the Certificate of Deposit at First Source Bank ($475.11) and from other donors($450) who wished to help persons in dire need. We assisted only one (1)household, spending a total of $282.00.
Homeless – With the Emergency funding noted above, we entered into an understanding with the Ministerial Alliance that if senior citizens or disabled persons are homeless, we will help with three nights lodging at the motel on Route 30 for up to three nights at a cost of $35.00 per night. However, those individuals that are homeless and do not fit the elderly or disabled category, the Ministerial Alliance will pay for the three night stay. Joan Haugh oversees this program.
Tax Assistance: The Henry F Schricker Library enlisted the assistance of VITA volunteers from United Way of Porter County, so we made referrals to them instead of space at our facility. H&R Block also helped low-income families that Community Services verified met the criteria.
Moving Starke County Forward: This initiative resulted from forums held in the spring of 2012. Successful activities were held, such as the “Walk Around the World” and the Meth Symposium. This group is applying for a 501C3 status in order to continue programs to help or encourage Starke County residents to make improvements in their lifestyle in order to regain or retain good health. Joan Haugh has participated in this endeavor and has agreed to be a member of the board.
ELDERLY
Case Managers: Many referrals are made to the Area I Agency on Aging case managers assigned to Starke County. Assessment of the individual includes physical and/or mental disabilities, medical needs and financial capability. The case manager determines appropriate services, arranges their provision, develops a plan of care to address the ongoing needs and monitors the person to assure that services continue to meet his/her needs.
The goal is to provide an array of in-home supportive services that allow the elderly and disabled to remain in their homes for as long as possible, thus providing independence and diversion from institutional care.
The case manager also reports cases of adult abuse, neglect and exploitation to Adult Protective Services in LaPorte, and frequently assists in the assessment and resolution of the cases.
HOME-DELIVERED MEALS: Nutritionally balanced meals are delivered Monday through Friday by volunteers to clients who have been assessed by the case manager and found to be in need of a home-delivered meal. We have two routes: North Judson/San Pierre and Knox/Hamlet/Bass Lake. During the grant year 7/1/12-6/30/13, NWICA contracted with Midland Meals of Monticello to prepare the meals. As a result of funding cuts, we only provided 1,257 meals to 12 clients throughout the county. To meet the needs of seniors, we offered private pay meals and served 18 clients with a total of 1,308. We ask the private pay clients to reimburse us for the cost of the meal only and do not charge them for the administrative overhead costs. The Emergency Food Advisory Committee has the responsibility to oversee the homebound food program, food pantry, and emergency food policies, adhering to government regulations. Pat Zobrist is chairperson of this Committee.
LEGAL SERVICES: Northwest Indiana Community Action Agency entered into a contract with Indiana Legal Services, Inc. to provide group and individual legal counseling to low-income senior citizens in Starke County. Legal Services have visited our facility three times in 2013 and assisted seven (7) individuals with living wills, wills or durable power of attorney forms. We have a waiting list for others that wish to take advantage of this free service.
HOMEMAKER: Two full-time homemakers, Wanda Moore and Shirley Janiszewski, and two part-time homemakers, Wanda Biddle and Judy Newnum, provide services to the elderly and disabled in order to keep their homes in a healthy and safe condition. Persons must be income eligible and demonstrate a need for the service. Summary for grant year with Title IIIB funds, 7/1/12-6/30/13: 4,120 hours of service to 50 clients. Two individuals chose to utilize the private pay homemaker service and received 26 hours of help.
Community Services became a licensed Personal Services Agency by the Indiana Department of Health on December 1, 2009. We renewed this licensure for 2012-13. Under this license, we may provide companion service, homemaker and attendant care.
HANDYMAN: Northwest Indiana Community Action Corporation has not sent any care plan referrals this past year.
FOCAL POINT SERVICES: Focal point is a visible community organization where any individual can obtain information and assistance related to services offered by Northwest IN Community Action Corporation. Required activities should include public education, outreach, training, marketing and community priorities. Community Services coordinated with NWICA in 2013 to provide assistive technology devices for 20 persons that were legally blind, and participated in the March 13th Rally for Independence in Indianapolis, organized a session for veterans and spouses on May 16th and attended trainings.
NUTRITION AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES: Community Services of Starke County operates two senior centers in the county: 311 E Culver Road, Knox, and 105 E Talmer, North Judson. Meals are served at noon at both sites; in addition, socialization, health screenings, exercise, Wii Sports, support groups and activities take place.
Marilyn ‘Sue’ Hewlett is the manager for the Knox Senior Center; Laura Mihalich manages the North Judson Senior Center.
On January 1, 2005, legislation required that each facility that serves food have a certified food handler on site, trained on the ServSafe Program but then a waiver was given to senior centers, churches and non-profits. However, NWICA now requires each site to have a ServSafe certified person at each site. Marilyn Sue Hewlett and Laura Mihalich, site managers, have been certified.